Psilos Bird Photography |
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus |
A dove sized bird with sleek body, long
wings and pointed tail. Not unlike a Sparrowhawk but this bird is not
a bird of prey. The sexes are similar. The adults are grey but the juveniles
(below) are brown. They are summer visitors arriving in late March/April
and are well known for laying their eggs in birds nests. Host birds
usually include Meadow pipit, Dunnock and Reed warbler. Cuckoos can
be seen throughout the UK, but are especially numerous in southern and
central England. Adults migrate back to Africa in July/August with the
juveniles following a month later. Their diet consists of insects and
caterpillars. Cuckoos are now in serious decline and are no longer a
common sound in the countryside. |
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